Ocean Mist appeals CRMC decision on wall

August 3, 2012

The Ocean Mist appealed the state Coastal Resources Management Council's approval of a 202-foot sheet pile sea wall in Matunuck.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – The Ocean Mist appealed the state Coastal Resources Management Council’s approval of a 202-foot sheet pile sea wall in Matunuck.

Lawyers representing the business at 895 Matunuck Beach Road filed the appeal in Providence County Superior Court July 27, the final day businesses and homeowners had to appeal the decision May decision.

Kevin Finnegan, owner of the Ocean Mist is asking that the decision be reversed.

“I want to protect the road but the Ocean Mist needs to be protected also,” Finnegan said, when reached Thursday by phone.

Finnegan cited concerns that the sea wall will divert the water into his building.

“I’m just going by what the town engineer said, that it will adversely affect the Ocean Mist property or destroy it,” Finnegan said. “I think you could see the possible damage to the Ocean Mist yourself.”

Once the town is officially notified of the Ocean Mist’s appeal, it will have 20 days to respond. CRMC was notified of the appeal July 31.

"The town's permit remains valid, until otherwise determined by the courts," Laura Dwyer, CRMC's public educator and information coordinator wrote in an e-mail Thursday. "The town is free to move forward with the project."

The wall’s construction was a hotly contested issue since the town initially proposed it in Sept. 2011. The wall, which will be built within the town’s right-of-way along Matunuck Beach Road, is aimed to reduce the erosion problems along the shoreline that have threatened homes, businesses and public infrastructure in the area.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of Friday's The Narragansett Times.